A growing problem

At this time of year goodwill abounds, and we often take more time and effort to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

I was shocked to recently read that poverty is becoming an increasingly growing problem in Ontario.

The Ontario Common Front, an Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with the growing economic inequality, released a report at the end of August showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator.

We are at the bottom of the pack when it comes to equality and social programs. This report found that 40 per cent of Ontarians, fully 600,000 families, are struggling with incomes that are stagnant or declining.

Ontario funds all of its social and programs, including health care and education, at the lowest rate in Canada. While poverty rates fell in five provinces, Ontario had the second highest increase in poverty rates, leaving 393,000 children in poverty, which is a ratio of 1 in 7.

As we embark on a new year, I for one will be counting my blessings that I have food on my table and a warm place to sleep. Are those not comforts that all Ontarians should be entitled to?

Helen Schafer

Kitchener

A growing problem

OpinionJan 05, 2013Waterloo Region Record

At this time of year goodwill abounds, and we often take more time and effort to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

I was shocked to recently read that poverty is becoming an increasingly growing problem in Ontario.

The Ontario Common Front, an Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with the growing economic inequality, released a report at the end of August showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator.

We are at the bottom of the pack when it comes to equality and social programs. This report found that 40 per cent of Ontarians, fully 600,000 families, are struggling with incomes that are stagnant or declining.

Ontario funds all of its social and programs, including health care and education, at the lowest rate in Canada. While poverty rates fell in five provinces, Ontario had the second highest increase in poverty rates, leaving 393,000 children in poverty, which is a ratio of 1 in 7.

As we embark on a new year, I for one will be counting my blessings that I have food on my table and a warm place to sleep. Are those not comforts that all Ontarians should be entitled to?

Helen Schafer

Kitchener

Top Stories

A growing problem

OpinionJan 05, 2013Waterloo Region Record

At this time of year goodwill abounds, and we often take more time and effort to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

I was shocked to recently read that poverty is becoming an increasingly growing problem in Ontario.

The Ontario Common Front, an Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with the growing economic inequality, released a report at the end of August showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator.

We are at the bottom of the pack when it comes to equality and social programs. This report found that 40 per cent of Ontarians, fully 600,000 families, are struggling with incomes that are stagnant or declining.

Ontario funds all of its social and programs, including health care and education, at the lowest rate in Canada. While poverty rates fell in five provinces, Ontario had the second highest increase in poverty rates, leaving 393,000 children in poverty, which is a ratio of 1 in 7.

As we embark on a new year, I for one will be counting my blessings that I have food on my table and a warm place to sleep. Are those not comforts that all Ontarians should be entitled to?